Ozaukee volleyball star to be inducted into Lakeland HOF

Brittanie Martin (nee Paulus) has reached the pinnacle of her collegiate athletic career.

The 2006 Ozaukee High School graduate and 2010 Lakeland University graduate will be inducted into the Lakeland Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 14.

Martin, who lives in Magnolia, Texas, was notified of the honor two years ago, but the banquet was postponed twice due to the pandemic.

“I remember I was walking the dog when I got the call. I was pretty surprised. It was pretty awesome,” Martin said.

She is one of the most decorated volleyball players in Lakeland history. She was a two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III All-America honorable mention, the 2007 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Player of the Year and a three-time All-NACC first team honoree.

A three-year team captain, she graduated with program records for digs in a season (550) and career digs (1,882). She is currently second in career digs and kills (1,357).

She led the Muskies to three straight conference and tournament titles and two straight trips to the NCAA Tournament.

Martin said she is excited she is being inducted with her coach, Chad Schreiber, who had turned down nominations in years past.

“Going in with Chad means a lot to me,” she said.

Martin said she and her college teammates are still friends and serve as a support network for each another.

In high school, Martin also played soccer and basketball, and helped lead the Warriors to a basketball state title.

Now, she and her husband Matt, also a Lakeland graduate who played volleyball, participate in leagues and pickup games. They have two sons, ages 3 and 4, who will be introduced to the sport.

Martin said volleyball is a different sport because of its speed. While someone can stand and dribble a basketball or possess a soccer ball, in volleyball the ball is always moving.

“You can argue it’s the most difficult. It’s just a faster sport,” she said.

Martin works as a real estate project manager helping to create affordable housing.

For more information on the inductees, visit lakelandmuskies.com/news/2020/4/16/04-16-20HOFClass.aspx.